Director of Enterprise Simulation & Synthesis

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

As the Director of Simulation & Synthesis, you will lead the development of Xcimer's enterprise-wide modeling, simulation, and systems synthesis capability. You will be responsible for building the organization, tools, processes, and governance that enable high-confidence engineering decisions across complex, multi-physics fusion systems. This role will partner closely with Program leadership and peer engineering departments in a matrix organization to ensure simulation efforts are scalable, credible, and aligned to program execution needs. We are looking for a technical leader to apply their expertise in simulation, systems thinking, and organizational leadership to positively impact the future of energy!

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and grow the Simulation & Synthesis organization, including hiring, mentoring, onboarding, and performance development of technical staff.
• Establish enterprise simulation standards, governance, and best practices, including model credibility, verification and validation (V&V), uncertainty management, traceability, and configuration management.
• Develop and maintain scalable analysis workflows, infrastructure, automation, and data governance practices that support reproducible and high-quality engineering analysis.
• Lead integrated system-level synthesis activities, including trade studies, coupled-effects analysis, budgets, margins, and decision-support artifacts used by Program leadership.
• Partner with Program Directors, Systems Engineering, and peer Department Heads to ensure simulation activities are appropriately scoped, prioritized, and aligned to program milestones and decision points.
• Drive integration between simulation and testing activities, including test planning, correlation strategies, post-test model updates, and operational profile development.
• Define and implement engineering processes and "definition of done" standards for simulation activities across concept development, design, testing, and operations.
• Build external partnerships with national laboratories, universities, and industry collaborators to accelerate technical capability development and attract top talent.
• Represent Xcimer within technical conferences and modeling communities to establish credibility and strengthen recruiting efforts.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field; MS or PhD preferred.
• Experience: 12+ years of experience in modeling, simulation, and technical leadership within complex engineered systems.
• Demonstrated experience building and leading high-performing technical teams and establishing scalable engineering methods, tools, and processes.
• Strong expertise in model credibility, assumptions management, uncertainty quantification, and engineering decision risk assessment.
• Experience operating effectively within a matrix organization and collaborating across multidisciplinary engineering and program teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical analyses into clear recommendations for both technical and executive audiences.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Desired

• Experience owning enterprise-level simulation tools, workflows, and standards across multiple technical domains.
• Experience with structural analysis, loads and dynamics, vibroacoustics, multi-physics modeling, and model-to-test correlation.
• Experience establishing data pedigree and governance practices for simulation inputs such as loads, material properties, environmental conditions, and test datasets.
• Experience supporting external customer, regulatory, or government technical review processes.
• Recognized technical leadership through publications, invited talks, or contributions to simulation, computational engineering, or applied physics communities.

$190,000 - $220,000 a year

Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on "EEO Is the Law," please see here and here.

Benefits

Xcimer offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, well-being, and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company's long-term success.

Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company-paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part-time and fixed-term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.